Journal
Preparations Continue

The preparations for July's departure continue, and I am amazed at the level of planning that goes into this type of science mission. Plans must be made and coordinated to get all of the special equipment onto the Healy as well as all of the team members to Seward in time for departure. Cargo sizes and weights, deliveries, storage, and loading must all be worked out to make the science of the mission happen. I am reminded of packing for vacation and all of the lists I used to make for a week at the beach. The lists for six weeks of research in the Chukchi Sea must be enormous!

USCGC Healy
Photo by Bill Schmoker (PolarTREC 2010) Courtesy of ARCUS

I am also using this time to learn more about the ship we will be on - the USCGC Healy. Built in 1999, Healy is 128 meters long and 25 meters wide, and can break through 1.4 meters of ice at a speed of 3 knots, and 2.44 meters of ice when backing and ramming. Healy can serve many purposes, including research, search and rescue, escorting ships, and other jobs that the US Coast Guard might need to accomplish. I think this is pretty impressive, and I'm looking forward to sailing on the Healy and to meeting the men and women of the US Coast Guard who keep this ship sailing!

All information describing the Healy was obtained from the USCG Icebreakers Science Operations Page found at http://icefloe.net/specs-layout#third.

Question of the Day

Although scientific measurements are collected using the metric system, it is sometimes difficult to make a mental comparison based on metric units. What is Healy's length in feet? What is Healy's breadth (width) in feet? What thickness of ice, in feet, is Healy capable of breaking through?

Details
Author
Sandra Thornton
Date
Location
Broadwater Academy
Expedition
Chukchi Sea Borderland
Weather Summary
Overcast and humid.
Temperature
75 F (24 C)

View Comments

Comments

Fri, 06/03/2016 - 06:46

Judy Fahnestock

Sandi- I was excited to read your latest journal. I agree. I can't imagine the packing lists of all the researchers that will be on the Healy! Is there any indication how much ice you will be encountering while on your expedition? I'm curious whether in the past few years the researchers are encountering less and less ice while in the Northern Chukchi Sea. I look forward to hearing more about your expedition and seeing photos about life on board the Healy.

Sat, 06/04/2016 - 11:58

Sandra Thornton

Judy - That's a great question. The Chukchi Borderlands area represents one of the most significant summer ice melts in the Arctic. Based on this pattern, I would make the assumption that less ice is expected. The expedition in which I will be participating represents a very broad study, including biodiversity, so that scientists have a better understanding of the impacts of climate change in this area. I'm excited to be able to share photos of the organisms we encounter and details of life aboard a research vessel with you, my students, and my community!

Sun, 06/05/2016 - 09:44

Brian Drummond

What organisms are you most excited to see on your exploration to the Chukchi Sea. What are the reasons that you are so excited to see them, I am very interested to find out since I like the study of the Arctic

Mon, 06/06/2016 - 16:38

Sandra Thornton

Brian - Those are two tough questions. I am really excited about everything that I will see. The obvious "biggies" are seals, whales, walruses and polar bears, but I'm probably more excited about the very tiny organisms. I think it is fascinating that algae make their home on the underside of ice or that tiny phytoplankton, zooplankton, and krill support so many large animals. I'm also looking forward to seeing the biodiversity of the area and how all of the organisms live together. I hope you will follow my journal and let me know your favorites of the creatures I see. What about the Arctic most interests you?